Basketball Isolation Plays

Isolation Play In Basketball

Isolation plays, also known as ISO plays, are offensive plays designed to create one-on-onegame situations. Utilizing a team's best player, ISO plays are great in the end game when there is little time left on the game clock in the 4th quarter. Every coach should use some form of isolations in their playbook.

Pros Of Isolation Plays

There are lots of advantages to isolation plays and why they are effective in a basketball game. Here are the reasons why ISO plays should be in your playbook:

Isolation plays aren't the best against zone defense, since it's harder to penetrate towards the net.

Isolation Play Types

There are limitless possibilities for how to setup an isolation play, but the core concept remains the same. If you can create a one-on-one situation with your best player you have a great chance of success. Here are list of isolation play types you can incorporate in your playbook:

design ISO plays that have your best player drive towards the basket for an easy layup.

Player Mismatches In ISO Plays

ISO plays are most effective when teams create player mismatches. When a mismatch is obvious on the court, it's a good sign for a running an ISO play. When designing an isolation play around a player mismatch, look at the following things:

REMEMBER: If a defensive player is close to fouling out, you can create a player mismatch that intimidates the defender with the likelihood of drawing a personal foul.

How To Setup ISO Plays

To setup an isolation play in basketball, you need to draw defenders away from the basket and from the dribbler. The best way to setup isolation plays is with a combination of screens and cuts. As a coach, follow these steps when planning your isolation play: